Kid

02/07/2017

This handmade tiny treehouse is my new favorite kid craft. It is simple yet sculptural, collaborative yet kid-led, and the best part? You're left with a stunning piece to decorate your space and encourage creative play.

This is a really great winter project. It may be too stormy to play outside, but you can bring the outdoors in with this sculpture that doubles as a play platform for your kiddo's favorite toys. We chose to keep our design fairly simple, but you could really go all out, the skies the limit! Your kids can create the treehouse of their dreams, no major construction required!

08/04/2016

I have admired the cool effect of Kool Aid dyed yarn for ages, but what I was really after was a way to get that effect on cotton yarn. And as luck would have it inspiration came in a the form of a very good friends ice painted t-shirt post. Borrowing her same technique Jude and I dyed our own custom cotton yarn.

This is a super fun craft to do with the kids and the results are stunning. And the best part is that you just made your own craft supply! This colorful cotton yarn is perfect for beginner projects like finger knitting and simple knit or crochet washcloths and dish towels. Jude even had the great idea of creating free printable skein labels, which are of course, colorable. If you've got a crafty person in your life I bet they would covet a hank of hand dyed yarn!! Just think of all the knitting and crocheting grandmas that would get a huge kick out of kid customized yarn!

This project is great for any time of year, but it really shines in summer. The whole thing can be done outside and it requires no heat what so ever. No simmering caldrons of dye or complicated steps. Just a little bit of messy fun!

06/23/2016

Anyone else love to play with clay? Jude and I can't get enough of the stuff! We recently made a bunch of polymer clay beads and marbles. The process is simple and rewarding. This is the kind of project that a school aged child can do all on their own, but I dare you not to get in on the fun.

I love that this low stress craft makes it super easy to spend time with your kiddo. You can relax into a comfortable rhythm where your hands are busy but your mind is free to chat. I find Jude and I have the best conversations when we work side by side. In fact for me, that's the best part of making with kids. I love the beautiful beads, but even more I love the connection making them fosters. White clay is chic, blue clay is stunning, but smashed together they become something even more beautiful. The magic is in the togetherness.

DIY Marbled Beads

You'll Need:

Polymer clay* in at least two colors (Fimo or Sculpey brands work great)

Toothpick

Directions:

Take two small piece of clay and roll them into "snakes"

Swirl the snakes together

Smash the clay against a smooth surface and smear it out with the palm of your hand or fingertip.

Roll your clay into the shape you want for your bead.

Stab a toothpick through the center.

Bake according to your clay's instructions, until the beads are no longer pliable. For us that was 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes.

String and enjoy!!

Jude also made several "marbles" simply by forgoing the toothpick step. Both boys had so much fun rolling the marbles as they wonkily made their way across the floor. It turns out it's really fun to have a trick marble that could voluntarily hang a hard right at any moment. While the boys played with their marbles I made a simple necklace that I've been wearing ever since!

Happy Making!

* This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase on Amazon.com after clicking I will receive a tiny commission, thank you so much for your support!

06/07/2016

The posts for the Mini Maker's Guide to Summer Fun have all been so awesome! I can't wait to try all of the rad ideas! (You can find them all here.) My contribution to this fab line up is a DIY Bug Hotel.

This is a great way to create a home for beneficial insects and an excuse to use power tools (although I offer ideas if you'd rather skip that bit). It gets the kids outside, not just to gather the materials and make the craft, but to check in and observe the inhabitants! We have only had it in place for a week and it's already become my go-to suggestion if I want to encourage the boys to play outside. "Why don't you check on the bug hotel?" does the trick every time.

The simplest version of this project can be completed with a cinder block stuffed full of things you likely already have lying around the garden. But if you're feeling ambitious, you can bust out the power tools and take the making to the next level. If you are comfortable using a drill and you have school-aged children I encourage you to let them help with this. Kids feel empowered and have so much fun using real tools. Of course it's important to provide instruction and supervision, but the long summer days are the perfect time to dive into a power tool project.

First you'll want to gather supplies, we didn't go any further than our neighbor's yard to find what we needed. Straw, small sticks, bark, logs, pine cones, and pieces of bamboo all make great filling for bug accommodations.

If you like you can simply gather these supplies and stuff them into the holes of a cinder block, a section of large diameter pipe, or even an old garden pot. But if you want to make a deluxe hotel you'll first need to make a box! We used some plywood scraps that we had around to create ours. Use self-driving screws (or good old hammer and nails) to put it together. To help our box survive the elements we gave the outside a nice coat of exterior paint.

Next you'll want to prep your logs, first by cutting them to the width of your box, then by drilling holes in them. If you are hoping to create a home for native mason bees use a 5/16" drill bit. The trick to drilling these holes safely is to hold the log firmly between your feet and apply gentle even pressure with the drill. Jude got the hang of it right away!

Now comes the part that every one can get in on: filling your box with stuff! I used twine to create bundles out of the straw and bamboo but otherwise we just kept shoving stuff in until is was full.

Once you're finished with the filling it's ready to be installed in the garden! We set ours on an old outdoor side table so that the kids could easily observe it. Hanging it would be another great option. If you don't have one near by, be sure to provide a water source. Ours is just a plastic platter filled with a few stones and an inch or so of water.

Then just sit back and wait for your guests to arrive.

Your garden and your kids are sure to be very happy!

Here's hoping your summer is extra fabulous! You and your mini makers are sure to have lots of fun new ideas to try! Remember, we will be using the hashtag #makingsummerfun all summer long, please join in when you make something! I'd love to see what inspired you and I'm sure you've got your own great ideas to share!

05/17/2016

This weekend Jude and I sewed up some sweet little cozy clouds. It was a really fun project that we could work on side by side, and it was inspired by Sanae Ishida's new book Sewing Happiness.

Sewing Happiness is a beautiful and touching book about the healing power of making. Part memoir, part craft book, and all gorgeous, you won't be able to put it down. I loved how Sanae shares her journey from burnt-out corporate ladder climber to peaceful self-taught sewist with such honesty and eloquence.

Beyond the beautiful words, there are the stunning projects. Each project is designed with simplicity in mind, making them great for adding your own adaptations or sewing with children. With so many great ideas it was hard to choose which project to try first. But then I realized I had Cotton and Steel Zephyr in my stash and I knew exactly where to start. We would make our own versions of the cloud heating pads.

For Jude's version he first drew a cloud on paper to create a pattern that we pinned it to one layer of quilting cotton and one layer of wool felt. Using his pattern as a guide he was able to cut out his cloud shape.

Then with a little help and a nice slow speed, he sewed around his cloud leaving a hole for adding the rice. Once it was full of rice I helped sew it shut. Jude then trimmed along the edges with pinking shears. (Note: we modified the project to avoid turning the work, simply sewing the wrong sides together and finishing with pinking shears.) This sweet little cloud can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer, making it the perfect comfort companion, warming a bed or soothing a bump.

While Jude was working, I made a fluffy little cuddle pillow inspired by the same project. I find it helps if I have something to work on alongside Jude, it makes it so that we can spend time crafting together without me being tempted to take over his project. Mine was one side faux shearing and one side cute clouds, stuffed with polyfil and ready for lots of hugs.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of Sewing Happiness it is sure to bring joy to sewists of all ages and skill levels.

Happy Sewing!

Please note, I received a copy of this book to review but all opinions and words are my own. Furthermore, this post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase on Amazon after clicking that link I make a tiny commission, thanks so much for your support.

05/10/2016

Why bother brewing your own kombucha? Because it's super easy, tastes amazing, and costs next to nothing. My family loves kombucha, but the store bought versions aren't just super expensive, they also don't taste half as good as homemade. Jude and I have been making homemade kombucha for well over a year now and it's really easier than you might think. In this post I will share how to create a simple and delicious raspberry flavored kombucha complete with tips for a healthy brew and how to get the kids in on the action. This is a great base recipe and kombucha can be flavored in many different ways. In fact, I will be sharing a few of my favorite seasonal flavors soon!

Kombucha Is A Tasty, Healthful Drink

First, a little info on what the heck komucha is and why you should make it. Kombucha is a beverage made from fermented tea, it is full of probiotics and healthful yeasts, both of which are great for your gut and immune system. Because it is fermented it does contain a very small amount of alcohol. I do allow my kids to drink it, just not by the jug full. Usually they get about half a cup at a time, just to be safe and because I want more for myself!

05/03/2016

Need the perfect way to wrap that Mother's Day gift? Have your kids create these simple, yet stunning tote bags. We came up with two different styles, a scribble art tote that even the youngest artist can create and a batik inspired bleach pen tote that will let older children flex their creative muscles. Both designs result in beautiful bags any mom would love to use.

I love the idea of kid-made things we actually want to use! This is not to say that there isn't a special place in my heart for macaroni necklaces, but a chic little bag to carry to the market is really something any mom can use AND brag about! These totes use one of my favorite tricks: simplicity. Toddler scribbles are much more chic when confined to black and white and framed by interesting shapes. And kid art in a batik style reads more folksy and less elementary.

02/23/2016

I've asked nicely four times and shouted twice for Jude to get on his shoes. No matter how early we get up and how organized I try to be, it seems we are always rushing to get out the door. I pour my lukewarm coffee into a to-go mug, make sure Jude has his lunch, and tuck Ronan into his stroller with the remainder of his breakfast. Then we step outside and head off on our half mile walk to school. We fill our lungs with fresh air and get our blood pumping. We spot birds, cool clouds, and friendly neighbors. By the time we make it to school all of us are in better moods.

Jude has spent a little energy and gotten a nice dose of outside time before he is expected to sit inside and pay attention. I've gotten some exercise and more importantly, out of my own head, suddenly the day full of tasks feels much less daunting. And Ronan has gotten a chance to spot doggies and chatter away uninterrupted.

When it was time to sign Jude up for kindergarten I did what I think a lot of parents do, I freaked out. I toured a bunch of schools and tried to figure out how to get him into the best possible school. Then I took a deep breath and enrolled him in our neighborhood public school. So far we really love the school. (Note, this is a fabulous article about choosing public school.) Jude has an amazing teacher and we have both made good friends. But the thing I love most about our school is that it's close enough to walk every morning and most afternoons (Ronan's nap permitting). The luxury of not having to strap everyone into the car is not lost on me. And since we live in California it is rare that the weather is truly bad enough to skip our morning constitutional. It's a simple thing, but it has made our lives better.

I'm sure there are times that the neighbors think we're nuts, when we head out in rain gear or see me jogging in jeans behind Jude's scooter on a particularly rushed day, but we love our walk too much to skip it.

If you have the opportunity to walk (or roll) to school (or work), I encourage you to give it a try. It really is a lovely way to start your day.

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